May Program: Alternative Techniques to Reach Your Audience

Join us for the May PRSA luncheon as Leslie Neinast from LeaderSystems will give an interactive and unique presentation on temperament. (Don't worry, this is not about your child's temperament but that of other target audiences!) If it ever seemed like your message was not being received by an individual or a specific audience, this will be an interesting presentation for you. Learn how to change your delivery, regardless of audience.

A leadership development specialist, Leslie has more than 20 years experience in utilizing studies and personality assessments to help leaders better communicate. Using the Gary Smally approach, we will take a five minute personality assessment that will help us understand temperament style, allowing us to adapt our messages and be clearly understood. Join us as we relax on the couches of Abode and discover how temperament can help us win over bosses, clients and communities!

Leslie Neinast is a specialist in employee development and productivity. With 21 years experience as owner of LeaderSystems, Inc and as a partner with The People Matter Group, she provides interactive, results-oriented employee development activities & training. She specializes in employee selection, effective goal-setting, executive coaching and helping individuals achieve a higher level of productivity. Leslie holds a BA in Management and Economics from Lamar University. She is a certified trainer for Leadership Management, Inc courses. Her unique training style focuses on behavior modification for effective, long-term improvement. She works with employees and provides them with the tools to make their lives and relationships more effective. She helps companies improve their bottom line by increasing productivity of employees. Leslie enjoys working with sales staff to increase their level of sales, and provides companies with the tools to hire more effective sales staff. She is on the board for the Wichita Old Town Rotary Club.

Please send any questions you may have for Leslie to Cynthia Wentworth, APR at cwentworth@usd260.com, this is a great opportunity to get specific feedback from an experienced professional on reaching your audiences effectively.

Cost: $17 for members, $27 for guests, $12 for students.
Time: Programs start promptly at noon.
Date: May 22
Where: Abode Venue, 1330 E. Douglas
How: RSVP Here

Register online by Monday, May 21. We look forward to seeing you at this great program. In order to plan for food, we are now requiring RSVPs prior to close of business, Monday, May 21. Thank you for helping us plan effectively. If you have questions, please contact Cynthia Wentworth, APR at cwentworth@usd260.com

April Program: Position Yourself to Succeed in Today's Market

Do you want to be more competitive in today's job market? Are you looking for a job change? Many of us spend a lifetime placing the right messages and going above and beyond for an employer or client; however, is your resume sending the right message? Are you spending enough time positioning yourself correctly in this competitive work environment?

Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Brenda Koehring with Flint Hills, a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries will be speaking on these issues. Brenda leads the company's human resources strategy and systems including, talent management, employee and labor relations, compliance and training, and performance. She will bring insight into what high-level recruiters are looking for and what we need to know to position ourselves well in our professional field.  In her 32 years with Koch companies, she has held a variety of positions, including director of corporate credit, director of development group, and human resource leader for the capital service group.

Brenda's staff is dedicated to finding the right leaders for her organizations; don't miss these helpful insights from someone who leads those hiring top professionals. Take one power-packed hour to position yourself well in this competitive work environment.

Please send any questions you may have for Brenda to Cynthia Wentworth at cwentworth@usd260.com, this is a great opportunity to get specific feedback from an experienced professional while positioning yourself to succeed in today's market.

Cost: $17 for members, $27 for guests, $12 for students.
Time: Programs start promptly at noon.
Date: April 24
Where: Abode Venue, 1330 E. Douglas
How: RSVP Here

Register online by Monday, April 23. We look forward to seeing you at this great program. In order to plan for food, we are now requiring RSVPs prior to close of business, Monday, April 23. Thank you for helping us plan effectively. If you have questions, please contact Cynthia Wentworth at cwentworth@usd260.com

Thank you to the PRSA members and guests that attended PRSA’s Social Media at a New Level event on March 27, 2012 at Abode Venue. 

The event featured Ben Smith, Principal of Social: IRL, as he discussed how companies can take advantage of social media to better reach their target markets. Attendees received fascinating ideas to incorporate into their social media campaigns as well as gained insight into future social media trends. Smith also looked into the different ways companies can create value through social media and provided tools to further analyze an organization's social media presence.

March Program: Social Media at a New Level

Social media is still a hot topic, but PRSA Kansas wants to take the conversation to the next level. What is the future of social media, where are the trends and how do we as PR professionals capitalize on
what social media has to offer?  We are honored to bring a true professional on the topic to Wichita.  Join Ben Smith, principal of Social: IRL, for a discussion on key trends impacting the future of content creation and learn the latest on sharing across social networks.

Ben Smith is principal of Social: IRL, a boutique social and new media agency based in Lawrence, Kansas. Social: IRL works with brands from across the United States to integrate social media in all aspects of their daily operations through strategic business goals. He is also host of the nationwide Social: IRL conference series, has spent more than 10 years working in traditional media with a leading regional news organization and transitioned from print to online where he was ultimately responsible for launching and managing the company's first dedicated social media division. Ben can be found on Twitter @benasmith. Visit Social: IRL online at www.socialirl.com.

Cost: $17 for members, $27 for guests, $12 for students.
Time: Programs start promptly at noon.
Date: Mar. 27
Where: Abode Venue, 1330 E. Douglas
How: RSVP Here

Register online by Monday, Mar. 26. We look forward to seeing you at this great presentation. In order to plan for food, we are now requiring RSVPs prior to close of business, Monday, Mar. 26. Thank you for helping us plan effectively.  If you have questions, please contact Cynthia Wentworth at cwentworth@usd260.com

PRSA Webinars

PRSA members now have the ability to attend webinars through the PRSA home page. These webinars present a variety of subject matter including, but not limited to, social media, communication strategy, media relations, technique and tactics, and crisis management. By participating in these online workshops, members will have the opportunity to gain a competitive advantage by learning about emerging theories and tools used in the Public Relations field.

Some upcoming events include:

How to Create a Social Media Plan
On Demand 
Gain an understanding of how to strategically integrate new tools with traditional methods across the realm of social media.

Communicating on Difficult Issues: Opportunity or Threat?
March 16, 2012 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Join fellow Corporate Communications Section members and Gary Niekerk, Intel Corporation’s director of corporate citizenship, for this discussion about how to protect your company’s reputation in today’s fast-paced environment.

Transform Your Pitch From Snooze to News 
April 26, 2012 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Do you have a routine story to pitch? Learn eight proven approaches that will transform your routine story into one that grabs attention in the first sentence.

To find a full listing of these opportunities, please visit http://www.prsa.org

A Year in Review While Looking To The Future

Wichita Eagle publisher Kim Nussbaum & 2011 PRSA Kansas Chapter president Carolyn Russell in September. This program was a homerun with members. Who would you like to hear from in 2012?

The PRSA Kansas Chapter’s annual meeting was held on Nov. 29 at Abode Venue, 1330 E. Douglas. 11:30 - noon for networking, noon to 1 p.m. The 2012 board of directors were voted on and Committee Chairs announced. 

Journalists, students, PR professionals, our community, and so many more join family and friends in grieving for the loss of Les Anderson who died Saturday night from a heart attack. What an inspiration to all who new him and even those who simply knew of him. Our hearts and prayers go out to his loved ones and all whose lives he touched. Les will be missed, but his legacy lives on among those he touched.

Board of Directors

Les Anderson Remembered As Teacher

PRSA Kansas Professional Development Day 2011 a Success

Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to attend PRSA Professional Development Day 2011 - Marketing With Millennials on Oct. 20, 2011 at Red Cross Blood Services.

Jeff Fromm, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Innovation at Barkley, a Kansas City-based advertising agency, shared research from a groundbreaking new study titled, “American Millennials: Deciphering the Enigma Generation.” 

His presentation offered amazing insight into the social, mobile and digital media habits of Millennials. He also revealed Millennial attitudes toward workplace, cause marketing and packaged goods, restaurant, travel, tourism and retail sectors.

Members of the Kansas chapter seized the opportunity Sept. 27 to speak with newly appointed Wichita Eagle publisher Kim Nussbaum. The group was the first in town to feature Nussbaum as a guest speaker at its monthly lunch meeting. Sherry Chisenhall, editor (and a leader in digital news strategy), accompanied Nussbaum. Both fielded questions during the Q&A session.

Nussbaum spoke about her experience as a publisher in Texas and her transition to the Wichita area. Some of her topics included how the newspaper has adapted to incorporate multimedia, the different roles of the publisher and the editor, print and digital advertising and some personal experiences. Nussbaum said she instantly fell in love with Wichita and what the Wichita Eagle had to offer. She plans to stay and retire here.

Nussbaum said the Wichita Eagle has strengthened its news presence beyond the print edition -- incorporating deep online content, digital images and video. The Wichita Eagle’s website—kansas.com — is one of the leading news sites in the country.

Newman University student Rachel Stanley attended the lunch meeting. “It was a wonderful opportunity to meet not only the new publisher and the editor, but also some of the leading professionals around Wichita.

"She reiterated that students today need to become multi-talented individuals, especially in journalism or public relations. Her experience is priceless and brings a lot to the Wichita Eagle. The other individuals at the lunch helped me to make contacts and even gave me internship ideas.”

2011 PRSA Kansas Clarus Awards

On Tuesday, May 24, 2011, Mayor Carl Brewer and

Rebecca Gannon Hosted the 2011 PRSA Kansas Clarus Awards Luncheon at the Wichita Boathouse.

Congratulations the 2011 Clarus winners

You made us proud.

Here’s a list of the winners and those who contributed to the projects and campaigns.

Best of Show

Greg Standifer from Sullivan Higdon & Sink for Coleman’s Paul Teutul Jr. "Grill Road Trip" campaign. 

Contributors: Alex Stern, Lathi de Silva, Sarah Derreberry

Clarus winners

• Barry Owens, United Way of the Plains, external video category, campaign video
• Sarah Derreberry, Sullivan Higdon & Sink, community relations/causes category, Tender Ridge Angus Beef “Acts of Tenderness”
  
  • Contributors: Sarah Hecox, Stephanie Stover and Lathi de Silva
• Greg Standifer, Sullivan Higdon & Sink, creative tactics category, Meyer Natural Beef
• Contributors: Christy Niebaum and Aubrie Lockamy
• Greg Standifer, special events category, Coleman Grill Road Trip (contributors listed previously)
• Kevin Keplar, Wichita State University’s Elliott School of Communication, special events category, Engage campaign
  • Contributors: Eric Wilson and Dr. Susan Huxman of the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University, and Mike Rishell of the WSU Foundation.

Excellence winners:

• David Austin, Envision, brochures category, Child Development Center
• Sarah Derreberry, Sullivan Higdon & Sink,integrated communications category,Blackwell Angus Beef NASCAR racing outreach for Cargill
  
  • Contributors: Preston Brin, Brock Campbell, Lathi de Silva
• Jamie Opat, Starkey, public affairs category, “Enough is Enough” campaign
• Alex Stern, Sullivan Higdon & Sink, multimedia communications category, Kansas Health Foundation annual report
  
  • Contributors: Shawn Harris, Steve Hobson and Chad Smith
• 2010 PRSA Kansas board, internal communications category, Board members: Andrea Anglin, Denny Bender, Krista Blaes, John David Burkholder, Regina Dulac, Shelley Downs, Susan Dyer, Philip Gaunt, Tom Gdisis, Deanna Harms, Jennifer Keller, Teresa Kunze, Andy McGinnis, Jamie Opat, Angela Palacioz, Angie Prather, Jessica Richardson, Carolyn Russell, Kris Schindler, Cynthia Wentworth, Eric Wilson, Lynn Woolf

Merit winners

• Sarah Derreberry, Sullivan Higdon & Sink, web site category, Westar Energy
  
  • Contributors: Amy Jabara, Shawn Harris, Steve Hobson
• Teresa Kunze, brochures, “Circles of Hope” for Peace Connections
  
  • Contributors: Myrna Krehbiel, Marika Jones, Wanda Pumphrey, Kare McPheeters
• Craig Lindeman, Wichita State University, public affairs category, “Shockolate.”
  
  • Contributors:Craig Lindeman, Beth Tully, Sandra Denneler, Johanna Fonkert
• Craig Lindeman, Wichita State University, brochures category, “Viewbook”
• Jamie Opat, Starkey, annual report category
• Alex Stern, Sullivan Higdon & Sink, external video category, “Soldier” for Pratt & Whitney
  
  • Contributors: Steven Hobson, Ken Smith, P. Scott Fleming, Steve Hart

Professionals who received special recognition awards were:

• Professional of the year - Jennifer Keller, Communications Manager, American Red Cross Blood Services - Central Plains Region
• Distinguished service award - Denny Bender, Area Vice President at Arthritis Foundation - Heartland Region
• Executive of the year - Bishop Michael O. Jackels, Catholic Diocese of Wichita, for the Together Vision.

The PRSA California Inland Empire Chapter judged the entries. Points were given based on depth of research; strategic and creative planning and implementation; and measurable results.

PRSA Kansas Chapter in the news:

Blog: WBJ BizTalk – Sept. 20, 2010
Wichita Businesses Jumping On To Social Media Scene
by Emily Behlmann, Web Reporter

About PRSA Kansas

September program with Eagle publisher Kim Nussbaum 

Members of the Kansas chapter seized the opportunity Sept. 27 to speak with newly appointed Wichita Eagle publisher Kim Nussbaum. 

The group was the first in town to feature Nussbaum as a guest speaker at its monthly lunch meeting. Editor Sherry Chisenhall, a respected industry leader in digital news strategy, accompanied Nussbaum and both fielded questions from members during the Q&A session that followed.

Nussbaum spoke about her experience as a publisher in Texas and her transition to the Wichita area. Some of her topics included how the newspaper has adapted to incorporate multimedia, the different roles of the publisher and the editor, advertising in print and digital form, and some of her own personal experiences. Nussbaum said that she instantly fell in love with Wichita and what the Wichita Eagle had to offer. She plans to stay and retire here.

According to Nussbaum, the Wichita Eagle has strengthened its news presence beyond the print edition -- incorporating deep online content, digital images and video. The Wichita Eagle’s website — kansas.com — is one of the leading news sites in the country.

Newman University student Rachel Stanley attended the lunch meeting.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to meet not only the editor, and the new publisher, but also some of the leading professionals around Wichita," says Stanley.

"Nussbaum reiterated that students today need to become multi-talented individuals, especially for journalism or public relations. Her experience is priceless and brings a lot to the Wichita Eagle. The other individuals at the lunch helped me to make contacts and even gave me internship ideas.”

spoke about her experience as a publisher in Texas and her transition to the Wichita area. Some of her topics included how the newspaper has adapted to incorporate multimedia, the different roles of the publisher and the editor, advertising in print and digital form, and some of her own personal experiences. Nussbaum said that she instantly fell in love with Wichita and what the Wichita Eagle had to offer. She plans to stay and retire here.

According to Nussbaum, the Wichita Eagle has strengthened its news presence beyond the print edition -- incorporating deep online content, digital images and video. The Wichita Eagle’s website — kansas.com — is one of the leading news sites in the country.

Newman University student Rachel Stanley attended the lunch meeting.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to meet not only the editor, and the new publisher, but also some of the leading professionals around Wichita," says Stanley.

"Nussbaum reiterated that students today need to become multi-talented individuals, especially for journalism or public relations. Her experience is priceless and brings a lot to the Wichita Eagle. The other individuals at the lunch helped me to make contacts and even gave me internship ideas.”

Members of the Kansas chapter of the Public Relations Society of America seized the opportunity Sept. 27 to speak with newly appointed Wichita Eagle publisher Kim Nussbaum. The group was the first in town to feature Nussbaum as a guest speaker at its monthly lunch meeting. Editor Sherry Chisenhall, a respected industry leader in digital news strategy, accompanied Nussbaum, and both fielded questions from members during the Q&A session that followed.